Ultimate Oatmeal Cookies

I have been wanting to make these Paula Deen cookies for quite some time. I finally decided to go for it tonight. They were FANTASTIC! How can you go wrong? Paula Deen, brown butter icing, and holiday flavors (even though it isn't the holidays)? If you are wanting some holiday cheer, even at the end of January (yes, January is almost over!), then go bake these delicious cookies!

I know it seems like a lot of ingredients but this recipe is just as easy as any other cookie recipe. You might also be surprised to find that you already have all the ingredients at home.

PS. I have just started uploading some pictures of my fondant and icing work to a flickr account. If you want to check out the few that are up there, the website is www.flickr.com/theblondebaker. Let me know what you think!

Ingredients for the Cookies
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 large eggs
1/2 cup whole buttermilk (I just used milk and vinegar)
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 1/2 cups walnuts or pecans, chopped
1 cup raisins
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredients for the Brown Butter Icing
1/2 cup butter
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3-4 tablespoons water

Directions for the Cookies
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and shortening on medium speed with an electric mixture until fluffy.
3. Add eggs, and beat until fluffy. Add buttermilk, mixing to combine.
4. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, salt, and clove. Mix until combined.
5. Add the oats, walnuts, raisins, and vanilla. Stir until well combined.
6. Drop cookies on prepared baking sheets about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake 12-14 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned.
7. Let cool on pans for 2 minutes. Drizzle with Brown Butter Icing (directions follow) while the cookies are still warm.

Directions for the Brown Butter Icing
1. In a small sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat until golden brown (do not be afraid to brown it, this is what gives the icing a caramel taste), stirring occasionally.
2. Remove saucepan from heat; whisk in confectioner's sugar and vanilla.
3. Whisk in enough water for desired drizzling consistency.